10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Quit Doing Immediately

Requiring a plumber in Ocala can be necessary if you are experiencing a drippy or ruptured pipe. But a lot of the time, you can prevent plugging your pipes or breaking your garbage disposal, both of which can be expensive to fix.

Here are some of the most regular issues our pros field calls about at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning and how you can avoid them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Although they might be known as “flushable wipes,” the right place for them is the waste bin. The only thing that should be flushed (apart from the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you have a septic system.

A Canadian study that tested 101 such wipes learned they all didn’t pass a flushability test, according to Forbes. Because flushable wipes don’t disintegrate like toilet paper, they can plug your sewer line and lead to your toilet backing up.

They can also cause a lot of trouble to city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can conglomerate with other yucky things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, including cooking oil and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. Besides being unhygienic and just plain yucky, environmental nonprofit Green America says these buildups are expensive to get rid of. If you rely on a city sewer system, those are expenses that could get shuffled to you down the road.

Whatever kind of wipe you’re using—makeup remover, cleansing, baby or sanitizing—it should be thrown in the trash once you’re finished.

2. Flushing Other Things That Should Be Tossed in the Waste Bin

Other than flushable wipes, there are several other things that don’t belong in your toilet. These involve:

Together with wipes, these things can block your sewer line and back up your toilet, sticking you with a pricey (and icky) mess.

3. Relying on Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

Using drop-in toilet fresheners could seem like a great way to keep your toilet bowl clean, but they may cause more trouble than good. These tablets typically contain chemicals, like bleach, which can destroy rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets break down, they can clog the toilet and keep it from flushing.

4. Buying Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is blocked, your initial response could be to buy an inexpensive liquid drain cleaner. However, there are a few things you should know about these drain cleaners.

1. They’re poisonous. Drain cleaners are a toxic combination of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also make powerful fumes that can result in respiratory irritation. 
2. They can corrode your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, consider what they can do to your plumbing: corrosion, breaks and even failure. 
3. They’re not good for the environment. As you can imagine, these chemicals aren’t extremely good for the environment. 
4. They might not even unplug your drain. Regardless of all the chemicals they include, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a limited time. That’s because they often move the clog more into your plumbing until it creates a huge problem.

If you do require a drain cleaner, we advise using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners use bacteria and enzymes to break up clogs and foul odors. While they can require more time than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re safer for you, your plumbing and the environment.

If you have a difficult clog that just won’t break up, getting in touch with a professional plumber like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is your wisest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s simpler to have a professional complete the job. That way, you’ll also avoid harming your pipes and a host of troublesome issues like leaks, broken seals and unpleasant odors.

After your drain is flowing freely, keep it that way by installing a screen to keep hair or food scraps from plugging it again.

5. Pouring Grease Down Your Sink

It may seem like it’s not a issue to dump a tiny bit of oil down your pipes. But as the years go by, that grease can grow and plug your pipes. If the grease gets into the sewer system, it can stick to flushable wipes and lead to a nasty fatberg like we discussed prior.

To skip plumbing issues, drain the fat into a bowl. After it solidifies, you can toss it in the garbage.

6. Turning to Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a beneficial tool for breaking up tiny amounts of food waste. But it can’t eliminate everything. To avoid problems or clogs, we advise not putting these things down your garbage disposal:

• Coffee grounds 
• Pasta, oats, rice and bread 
• Bones, nuts, pits and seeds 
• Eggshells 
• Onions and potato peels 
• Fibrous fruits and vegetables 
• Grease

If your garbage disposal has a bad smell, you can revive it with citrus peels or a blend of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Ignoring Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Similar to your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also needs routine service. This service can help us find little issues before they result in big problems, such as a damaging water leak. Some of the issues we watch for involve:

If you do notice a problem, such as a leaking sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it taken care of without delay before it grows larger or causes damage.

8. Attempting to Fix Your Plumbing Yourself

When you are dealing with a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, we suggest calling an Expert at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for leak repair before it grows or results in damage.

Mending plumbing is a detailed job that’s best done by professionals. There’s a reason why plumbers complete extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try to do water pipe repair on your own or get a handyman, as you could end up wasting time and making a pricier expensive problem.

9. Trying to Maintain Your Water Heater Without Professional Help

When it comes to your water heater, service and upkeep is best left to the pros. This includes draining it or examining the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t done properly, you could burn yourself with hot water or flood your house.

Professional water heater maintenance gives peace of mind that your water heater is working like it should. It also gives you notice ahead of time when it’s time to start planning for water heater replacement, since they usually only run for about 10 years.

10. Not Realizing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

When your house has a large water leak, it’s essential to be knowledgeable about where the main water valve is and how to switch it off. This valve is usually found in a mechanical room near your water heater.

If you’re don’t know where the valve is located, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help you find it.

It’s also a good idea to have a water leak protection system that will alert you and shut off the water if there’s an issue. You can even get a smart system to monitor water use and notify you on your phone if there’s trouble.

Whatever plumbing trouble you’re faced with, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning are here to help you. And we’ll back our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll know that your repairs were done like they should. Give us a call at 352-414-4006 to schedule your appointment today!